Los Angeles, CA June 27, 2012- Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science’s VP of Strategic Advancement Angela Minniefield was recognized by The California Wellness Foundation (TCWF) as a 2012 Champions of Health Professions Diversity honoree. Her recognition symbolizes her successful efforts to improve the health and wellness of California’s most underserved communities. In recognition of her efforts to mentor and inspire students, increase access to higher education and better serve the health and well-being of California’s underserved and disadvantaged communities, Minniefield will receive a cash award of $25,000.

Before working at Charles Drew University, Angela Minniefield worked for 20 years in state government advancing policies and programs that increase the number of underrepresented students in health professions. She previously held several leadership positions at the state Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development, including deputy director of the Healthcare Workforce Development Division.

“Not only is increasing access to higher education imperative in developing and diversifying California’s health workforce,” said Minniefield, “there is also a direct relationship between one’s educational background and his or her own health status.”

The California Wellness Foundation (TCWF) is a private independent foundation created in 1992 with a mission to improve the health of the people of California by making grants for health promotion, wellness education and disease prevention. The Foundation prioritizes eight issues for funding: diversity in the health professions, environmental health, healthy aging, mental health, teenage pregnancy prevention, violence prevention, women’s health and work and health. It also responds to timely issues and special projects outside the funding priorities.

Since its founding in 1992, TCWF has awarded 6,544 grants totaling more than $815 million. Please visit TCWF’s website at CalWellness.org for more information, including a newsroom section devoted to the award and the three honorees. High-resolution photos are available. Video interview clips are posted at TCWF’s YouTube channel.